# Toward Metaphor-Fluid Conversation Design for Voice User Interfaces

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.11554 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2502.11554/

## Key facts

- Cited by 5 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 15 of its 107 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 17 Feb 2025.

## Builds on (most cited first, 15 of 15)

- [Personalizing Dialogue Agents: I have a dog, do you have pets too?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1801.07243/) (2018)
- [Conceptual Metaphors Impact Perceptions of Human-AI Collaboration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2008.02311/) (2020)
- [The State of Speech in HCI: Trends, Themes and Challenges](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1810.06828/) (2018)
- [Mutual Theory of Mind for Human-AI Communication](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2210.03842/) (2022)
- [A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding User Trust after Voice Assistant Failures](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2303.00164/) (2023)
- [Mapping Perceptions of Humanness in Speech-Based Intelligent Personal Assistant Interaction](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1907.11585/) (2019)
- [Like My Aunt Dorothy: Effects of Conversational Styles on Perceptions, Acceptance and Metaphorical Descriptions of Voice Assistants during Later Adulthood](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2309.11681/) (2023)
- [Impact of Voice Fidelity on Decision Making: A Potential Dark Pattern?](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.07010/) (2024)
- [Measuring Voice UX Quantitatively: A Rapid Review](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2103.07108/) (2021)
- [CUI@CHI 2024: Building Trust in CUIs-From Design to Deployment](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2401.13970/) (2024)
- [Examining Humanness as a Metaphor to Design Voice User Interfaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.07458/) (2024)
- [(Un)making AI Magic: a Design Taxonomy](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.15216/) (2024)
- [Human and LLM-Based Voice Assistant Interaction: An Analytical Framework for User Verbal and Nonverbal Behaviors](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.16465/) (2024)
- [What Do We See in Them? Identifying Dimensions of Partner Models for Speech Interfaces Using a Psycholexical Approach](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.02094/) (2021)
- [The Voice: Lessons on Trustworthy Conversational Agents from "Dune"](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.18928/) (2024)

## Built on by (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [Vibe Check: Understanding the Effects of LLM-Based Conversational Agents' Personality and Alignment on User Perceptions in Goal-Oriented Tasks](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.09870/) (2025)
- [Exploring Collaborative GenAI Agents in Synchronous Group Settings: Eliciting Team Perceptions and Design Considerations for the Future of Work](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2504.14779/) (2025)
- [Behavior-Adaptive Conversational Agents: Toward a Fluid Personality Framework](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2607.01034/) (2026)
- [Gricea: An Open Science Platform for Conversational AI Research](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.22039/) (2026)
- [Deflecting the Value Compass: Interacting with Large Language Models Temporarily Shifts Human Value Priorities Toward Personal Focus](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.25586/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Metaphors play a critical role in shaping user experiences with Voice User Interfaces (VUIs), yet existing designs often rely on static, human-centric metaphors that fail to adapt to diverse contexts and user needs. This paper introduces Metaphor-Fluid Design, a novel approach that dynamically adjusts metaphorical representations based on conversational use-contexts. We compare this approach to a Default VUI, which characterizes the present implementation of commercial VUIs commonly designed around the persona of an assistant, offering a uniform interaction style across contexts. In Study 1 (N=130), metaphors were mapped to four key use-contexts-commands, information seeking, sociality, and error recovery-along the dimensions of formality and hierarchy, revealing distinct preferences for task-specific metaphorical designs. Study 2 (N=91) evaluates a Metaphor-Fluid VUI against a Default VUI, showing that the Metaphor-Fluid VUI enhances perceived intention to adopt, enjoyment, and likability by aligning better with user expectations for different contexts. However, individual differences in metaphor preferences highlight the need for personalization. These findings challenge the one-size-fits-all paradigm of VUI design and demonstrate the potential of Metaphor-Fluid Design to create more adaptive and engaging human-AI interactions.